Jobseekers Allowance claimants in Warwickshire at lowest rate since 1983

The number of Jobseekers Allowance claimants in Warwickshire is at its lowest since records for this measure of unemployment began.  There were 3,862 residents in Warwickshire claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) in October, which amounts to just 1.1% of the working age population. This is the lowest rate recorded in the County since this measure was started in 1983.  The previous record low was recorded back in November 2004, when there were 4,130 claimants (1.2% of the working age population). There is significant variation across the county, with the highest numbers (and % of the population) in Nuneaton & Bedworth (1,750 claimants / 2.2% of the working age population) and the lowest being Stratford District (355 or 0.5% of the working age population).  While this is clearly very positive news and demonstrates the strength of the economic recovery within the county, there are some underlying issues that raise some concerns.  These include the suggestion that many young people (estimated by some to be over 50%) are simply not claiming benefits which therefore leads to a significant underestimate of youth unemployment; that there is an increase in lower paid, part-time, flexible and temporary jobs; and that real wages are not growing as fast as inflation, creating a squeeze of disposable income which has a knock-on impact on spend in the local economy.